You Might Feel Like Crap

Everywhere you look, you will find information supporting the fact that nicotine is out of your system about 3 days after your last cigarette. For some reason they associate that timeline with how long people will experience withdrawal symptoms after years of heavy smoking.

You will hear it over and over again, that if you can just make it through the first week or two, you have it made! I am convinced that this particular misinformation plays a major role in why so many people fail in their attempts to quit smoking.

The truth is that if you have been a heavy smoker over a long period of time, you might feel like crap when you first quit.

The problem is that very few people will warn you about this part. They are so busy talking about all of the wonderful things, that they don’t mention that you may experience sadness or depression, and have absolutely no energy. Activities as basic as getting off the couch may require an act of congress!

Your gums, tongue and throat may be extremely sore, and some folks will begin coughing more than ever. You may feel achy all over, as if you are coming down with something.

Although you will hear about people gaining a few pounds, how come no one talks about the never ending ravenous feeling of hunger that nothing seems to fill?

When the doctors mention that you may feel a bit airheaded for a few days, why don’t they come right out and tell you that you might feel so distracted for a few weeks that you may do stupid stuff, like sit at a stop sign waiting for it to turn green? Or, lose the truck at Wal-Mart because you can’t remember where you parked?

Did anyone bother telling you that you may react VERY differently to caffeine after you quit smoking? You may very well have been able to swim in pots of coffee any time of day or night before, and now all of the sudden, just thinking about coffee keeps you from sleeping at night, even though you spent the entire day barely able to keep your eyes open!

Guess what? Some of these things can last well beyond a few days.

If you are not prepared for this, it can be overwhelming. You may start to ask yourself if it is all worth it.

Here is the deal though, it doesn’t last forever.

You will start feeling better.

The alternative is that if you continue smoking, you won’t get better.

Do I want you to know all of this so you will get scared out of quitting? Heck no! I just firmly believe that if you know exactly what to expect, and for how long, you can prepare yourself to face and deal with everything, one step at a time.

(193) Comments

PaulMar 09, 2012

Just to update, I posted here about two months ago. I’ve been feeling loads better! I’m on day 69 smoke free, and I feel like I’m finally over the hump! No more fatigue, normal appetite, and best of all no physical cravings for nicotine. I still think about smoking once in a while, but it’s more of reminiscing about the times I used to smoke. So all of you feeling like crap, it will get better eventually! Just remember to keep in touch with your doctor and hang in there!

Thank you so much for your information I’ve been smoke-free now for one month just starting to feel better but still think about smoking a time to drive me crazy but then it disappears sometimes I want to run out there and buy a pack of cigarettes and then I think twice I don’t buy it but listening reading what you have wrote seems to be helping me thank you so much Diane Gilbert in South Florida

Congratulations, question did you feel exhausted and lightheaded anytime you did anything.. and did you have any anxiety, I am on my third week and feeling littler like crap. Any help would be fantastic.

I’m on 3 months TODAY :). Yes – exhausted, lethargic, unmotivated, lightheaded, dizzy, and extremely anxious (to name only a few symptoms lol).
Some slight background – I was a heavy smoker but I started cutting down for 5 weeks before fully stopping. It’s been a hard enough journey like this and i couldn’t contemplate the hell of cold turkey.

The anxiety shocked me as I wasn’t expecting it as a withdrawal symptom, and boy it was bad. Note the past tense? Yup, I think it dropped off around 8 weeks or so?

Look, I’ll be honest – I felt like SHIT (energy wise) right up until about week 11. However the intense withdrawal symptoms like stomach problems and aching joints were old news by this stage.
First 4 weeks were the worst. Maybe around 8? it started to improve, but still felt poorly.

Even though I had hardcore lethargy and insomnia etc, I also had incredible restlessness. A general agitation, boredom, lostness, inability to focus, irritation and physical frustration that all amounted to restlessness. So I took full advantage of that and took off on a walk whenever the feeling overcame me. Often I’d walk for hours in a daze or listening to music. Basically I got shitloads of exercise (jogged and cycled too) and i truly believe this was an invaluable aid in dealing with withdrawal (as well as accelerating the healing).

I’d have gone CRAZY without the release provided by exercise and fresh air.

Apparently at the 3 month mark you can get the cravings return for a period, and this is where many fall off the wagon. But honestly, I’ve been through so much hell in this withdrawal that it is the biggest deterrent to ever smoking again – I couldn’t stand to go through another bloody quit !!!

Best of luck to you Di, and everybody else. Hang in there guys. HONESTLY this is the best thing I’ve ever done. I turned 40 a couple months ago and feel healthy for the first time in eons.

Today is my 19th day of no nicotine. I am feeling more anxious than ever. I have anxiety issues to begin with. But this week has been horrible. I don’t have a desire for a cigarette but I’m having a real hard time with the withdrawal end of it. I’ve been smoking for 55 years. I finally decided to quit but I feel like crap. Hopefully all this passes.

I quit smoking Jan 1 of this year. I am 55 and have smoked since I was 13. The price of cigs and the treatment I recieved as a smoker drove me to quit. I have no support other than internet. I felt soooo bad physically. My stomach hurt, my head hurt, I was spinny like I was a little drunk. No energy and I cried over everything. I have had some terrible experiences with Dr’s so going was out of the question. I have read and studied how to quit for 2 years. Joined support groups, ect. I had no idea all these symptoms were related to quitting. That sucks! I smoked again to see if that was why I felt so bad. I felt a lot better. Aha! Thanks for putting the truth out there! I am back on my quit, with no hopes of it getting better for at least a year. Such is life. SRSLY, Thank you! You gave me hope that it will get better someday!

Maxie I smoked for 45 years and then gave it up aged 63. I went through hell. Doctor was a total waste of space and like you I just seeked help off the net. Yeah I had every sympton going, headaches,bloating,short of breath, anxiety, mood swings, tiredness. I got to the stage when I thought I would never ever feel right. It took over a year for me to feel better and in all honesty maybe 18 months before I felt I was over it. But everytime I felt like sh*t it was even more reason to stay off the things. I am now 65. Last week I did walks totally 15 miles and rode my bike 53 miles, one trip of 15 miles and one of 38 miles, never got short of breath once. You will get better, just dont give in. I never think of the dirty things now. Stay strong. Best of luck

I’m on day 42 smoke free after 37 years of a pack (or slightly more) a day. Yes. Today I felt like crap and wondered why things are so fuzzy and depressing. Also, I am on a very short fuse. Real pissed over everything, good and bad. I wanted to punch a horse unconsious. Thank you for helping me understand….this too shall pass.

eddie John-thank-God that I saw your post. I am 58 and smoked since I was 14. I have been off cigs for 8 months and do not feel as bad as I did but I still have a very short fuse, stomach aches and a hard bloat in my upper stomach that makes me look like I am 6 months pregnant-glad that you said it took you a year to feel better-all I saw were weeks from everybody complaining about it-I had an endoscopy cause I didnt know about any of this and it was normal-does the bloat go away after time too-how long did you have the bloat or did it go away basically, when everything else did? please write back-I am desperate to have any info-thanks-Zee

Thank you so much for posting. I stopped 64 days ago and immediately started an exercise program which has really helped. The last few weeks though, I have often felt sick, incredible fatigue, etc, etc. I suspected that it was my body healing and now after reading your post, I feel a lot better. Thank you again.

I quit smoking 17 Jan 2012 . so pleased with myself.
only problem no longer feel like my old self, felt like i was the only-one feeling the way many other ex-smokers do ” crap” most of the time.
the other problem is that i have gained over a stone in weight and nothing fits, funny thing is i’m not aware i am eating more or more often. please can someone tell me when this problem will settle as this is what bothers me the most.
on a brighter side i have beat fags for now. reduced my blood pressure and had my teeth whitened.
thinking of all exsmokers don’t stop now x

Lisa I think weight gain is a problem we all get when we quit. Apparrently your body works when you smoke and uses up sugar or something so that doesnt happen when you quit.
You will have to review your diet. Stuff you could just get through before may now be out. But it may lead you to a healthier lifestye. It did with me. I must admit I used to enjoy fried stuff and a few beers. Gave that up but found other foods to eat and really enjoying them. Stay off sweet stuff as if the body cant use it then it will store it as fat. Try to avoid alcohol if you can and greasy food.
Try fruits etc to snack on. I never was a fruit lover but enjoy it now, and its is healthy. It will be a case of trial and error to see what suits you but at least you have stopped killing yourself. I have been smoke free two years now after 45 years of the things.

I have to wonder. I quit smoking a couple of different times. None have been as bad as this one. I quit about 8 years ago, that lasted for 4 years. I was dumb enough to start again, still don’t know why. Anyway. It’s been 6 years since and now I’m using the E-Cigarette. It seems to work for a nicotine perspective, but I’m still experiencing all the symptoms you have described here. Light headed or airy feeling mostly. It tends to be worse in the mornings. Fatigue is a big one too. Are these symptoms largely from the ~400 OTHER chemicals in todays cigarettes?

Hi Joe
I quit 9 months ago , I like you am using the e-cig… And I have the same systems as everyone here… Tired big time gained weight .. just feel like crap … I told my doctor about this 3 weeks ago .. She said it is a doctors dirty little secret that people do feel like crap when they quit smoking … She told me the e -cig is fine and she doesn’t care if I stay on it forever she said the Nicotine isn’t the bad part of smoking it is the 400 something other chemicals that are bed.. I said to her I always thought it was the nicotine she she NO that plays just a very small part of it …

Hi, I quite smoking 9 Nov 2011 with champix, I am 47 and have smoked since I was 13. Six months on I have never been so unhealthy or felt so shit. I used to do 10k runs without getting short of breath but now struggle to complete a 5k, I have put on almost 2 stone, am suffering from gastritus, get constant headaches, bloated, tired and listless. Please tell me this will end!!! Doc has been worse than useless…..

Hey Barry,
You smoked for 34 years. It is not going to be an overnight cure. See my other mails here but yes it will get better. I smoked for 45 years and went through about 18 months of hell.
Now I never even think of the things. Yes I had the short of breath and weight gain and also had horrifying bloating…all gone now. I had to change my diet to shift the weight…. believe me there is life beyong steak and chips. It will get better so dont give in. As for my doctor, a total waste of space.
Stay strong, one day you will rejoice, but it takes time.

Hi, can anyone please help me. I’ve been smoke free for nearly 6 weeks & I am still feeling light headed. Does anyone else have this also & if so how long did it last. Its an awful feeling & is just getting me down & worried it is something else, although the same thing happened the last time I quit, which got me so down I ended up taking up the habit again.

hi Amy, I quit almost five months ago, and I still get light headed almost everyday….its a really weird feeling….I hate it…..but im gonna hang in there, it cant last forever…..
wish I could have told you something you’d wanna hear….sorry

Hi Amy,
Yes it is a side effect. I used get it, sometimes felt a bit dizzy and floaty but it went.
I would say I smoked for about 45 years and it took me over a year to get over it but worth it in the end.
If it really concerns you best to see a doctor, just to be sure.
One thing is for sur, even if it isnt to do with smoking, going back isnt going to make it any better…stay quit.

I smoked for 32 yrs ,I’m 46 .I quit the day I ended up in ER 04/02/12.Could not breathe and felt like a knife in my lung.after cat scan and having the shit scared out of me (I had pneumonia) .I feel like complete Hell, some days are better than others but I will never smoke again.After that happened I have convinced myself I’m dying.I think I have panic attacks because it feels like someone is squeezing my throat and I can’t breathe.
I am not coughing but I do get phelgm with brown spots (not alot).I think about death and am depressed.When I smoked I laughed about death and never had depression.Please God make this stop,this is awful.wish me luck

Well I must admit this journey I am one is a toughy . Im 5 and half months pregnant. I,decided to stop( with the constent nagging of the father) a few weeks ago. I feel like sh#t. I find myself crying all the time, mad at the world for no apparent reason and ready to kill anything in my path. I have no support group as im doin this alone. I am tryin this med given to me by my doctor and its alright i guess. I cant say that i havent smoked, but i can honestly say that i cut back dramactically. I was at half a pack a day now im at half a cig. And that’s after the med. Im waiting for the day i dont smoke at at all. I know its healthier for my unborn, and im really really really trying. I was told to find a support group but that been a little difficult. I wish everyone the best of luck, and pray for me.

Well, I’m so glad to find out I’m not losing my marbles! I have been smokefree for 10 days after 16 years of smoking. My husband and I have both quit and we’ve had to hide all the kitchen knives, seriously we’ve come so close to divorcing about three times a day EVERY day since we’ve quit. Also feeling lightheaded /dizzy, can’t sleep at all, full of restless energy and sweating loads, and I did mention that I wanted to kill my lovely husband? Thank you guys for being honest. Just makes me more determined that I will never have to quit smoking again for me and for my baby and for the life that I want to have. Please keep the stories coming, I’m so glad I’m not alone!!!

I am so happy I found this website. Reading your experiences helps heaps! I am on my 5th day of not smoking and thought surely it will become easier. Well not at all. And I thought if I use e-cig at least I won’t feel craving for cig, surprisingly I do. Hmm and I thought the nicotine addiction is the hardest to over come. Well, there is that mental thing that I cannot explain and I agree doctors are useless. However, I have to admit it is first time in my life that I am 5 days smoke free. I tried so many times and never go even one day totally free. I must be the weakest person in the world as I read so many people quit. This time with help of e – cig it is at least happening for me. But why on hell I still feel craving? Amazing. It is easier though to puff that e – cig and feel at least a bit of comfort. Like most of you guys I have prepared myself by reading reading reading. But everyone tells that after few days it become easier. WEll I haven’t noticed yet that ‘easier” Worse are night when I wake up and want cig badly. Anyhow, keep guys good work….whatever it takes. 🙂 I believe that I will manage too this time. Wasn’t prepare for over year but well if it takes 1.5 year before I will feel free…I take the chances:) I smoked 40-60 cig a day for long time. I started smoking about 35 years ago so will take me awhile to get used to different lifestyle.:) Thank you guys for starting this topic and honesty! It really helps.

Hi Ula,
We are all different and some have an easy quit and some dont. I didnt. I smoked for 45 years and went through hell for a year. But I am now three years quit and it is one of the best things I ever did in life. Now I nver ever think of the ******** things.
Reading is good, it relaxs you but going for a good walk is also great. It doesnt have to be up a mountian, just somewhere that is pleasant and away from it all is wonderful therapy.
No matter how hard it is you will get there in the end.
I went through phases when I wondered if I will ever feel good but eventually the struggle ends and its all worth while.
Good luck to you and all the other quitters.

It is so good to have found this website because I have been in a state of panic ever since I quit smoking. Reading the struggles of everyone else helps me feel that I’m not alone and calm my nerves, because I can’t use a cigarette to do so anymore. I had my last cigarette on February 5, 2013 after 7 years of smoking American Spirits (a very dense smoke) I would smoke roughly half a pack to a pack a day.
Today after 12 days cold turkey I still feel like complete crap, my lungs feel constricted and heavy. I’m almost always nauseous. I know that it’s my body detoxing the poison. I didn’t realize how poisoned I was.
My mind and body is feeling easier after reading through these posts, and I wish everyone the very best in their detox. Exercise, eat veggies, and stay hydrated

Im so glad i found this site i smoked a pack and half a day for 14 years.i made myself quit cause i could hardly breathe. That was jan.30,2013 i can beathe better but now i feel aggervated lightheaded forgetful and half crazy. I also have a sore throat.ive been wondering why cause i didnt feel this bad when i first stopped, this started bout 2weeks ago.i never imagined i was still withdrawling. Thankx for letting me in on this now i can tell my dr. Im not nuts maybe even fire her she should have known this…

I’ve stopped smoking now for two years……………it wasn’t easy but my friend died as she had COPD. It really brought it home to me that smoking was killing me. I read Alan Carr’s book which really made me realise that unless I stopped smoking I would end up dead too.

Glad I found this, everywhere I look I see After 4 weeks you should feel better. I DONT! I feel like crap, light headed, like ive been drugged or im drunk, headaches, sleepless night, I keep thinking im not right and that something has happened to my brain after taking champix. Something that did actually make me go half crazy. But just happy to read that this is all normal and that my doctor is utterly usless and dosent care.

I quit three days ago. I feel like freaking crap. I am using the e-cig, but I’m still nauseated, light-headed, and can’t sleep. I feel bloated, and even though I am taking fiber supplements, I’m still stopped up. The only thing that is taking the edge off is going to the gym. If I can’t make it to the gym, doing sit-ups (or something physical) at my desk helps with the cravings. I started smoking when I was 13, and smoked about a pack to a pack-and-a-half a day for twenty years. I’m glad I found this forum – I thought I was dying. I still feel like I’m dying. I’m absolutely miserable. But, as a singer, a teacher, and a mother, smoking is no longer an option for me… How long does this crappy feeling last? Seriously, I don’t want to throw up, but I feel like I’m going to…

I quit smoking June 29, 2014 and am still smoke free, not even one cheat! I had surgery on June 30th so I had decided to just not buy anymore smokes so they would not be in my home during my recovery and maybe I could be done with them. I think that is why it actually worked for me, I basically slept for four days after the surgery so I really didn’t feel those first couple days of really bad withdrawls and I new they were going to be bad after smoking a pack a day for about 20 years. I still feel crappy all the time but at this point I have the eating under control and the bloating is getting a little better. The lightheadedness and dizziness just showed up in the last couple weeks. I hope it gets better but no matter what never gonna smoke again

I stopped smoking almost three months ago. I smoked a little over a pack a for 23 years. I stopped smoking cold turkey, as I read about NRT. The dangers of nicotine alone are terrifying. I feel as though I am losing my mind. No one could have prepared me for what I am going through. You only hear about how difficult it is to quit for the first month. It gets worse! I never would have imagined this. I feel like I am in a nightmare. I feel dizzy most of the time, I am angry and frustrated, and for the most part, I am angry at the world. I cry about everything, and feel like my life is over. It is an amazing, yet scary feeling. I never would have believed that cigarettes were this vital to my life, and everyday living. The loss I feel is actually like the loss of a loved one, yet…..it is the loss of an executioner. Go figure! I am still fighting, and don’t want to ever look back at be a smoker. I just don’t want to die a painful death like what I have read about. I love life, but not right now!

I have been thinking about quitting for about a year after my husband had a heart attack and my brother died of cancer at age 41, both smoking. I had a bad cold and just went cold turkey about 30 days ago. So far it has been a breeze. Now my body seems to have gone completely haywire. Really glad I found this website. I too was a closet smoker so I can’t really share this with anyone.

This sight is a God sent… I quit on Feb 2/2015! I have had a terrible time with all the crap my body and mind has been going through. I feel frustrated all the time,angry at the world. I went through the sore throat and dizziness. Almost fell down a couple times. I have a terrible taiste in my mouth that will not go away,big bags under my eyes and i can cry or freak out at the drop of a hat. My skin has never looked so uneven and gross,i have gained 20 pounds..I just feel totally not myself. All i know right now is that this site has shown me a light at the end of this terrible tunnel. I didnt realize that i was so addicted. My poor body deserves a fighting chance at this life and now is my chance,I’m not turning back 🙂 Thanks Again everyone 🙂

I feel ya! I quit using a vape on 10-21-15 aftet smoming for 28 years and I have never felt worse in my life.. I have had the feeling of a popcorn kernel on my tonsil for weeks and I can’t think of a part of my body not affected. I’ve gained 20 pounds, my skin is HORRIBLE. I have always had really nice skin and now I have pimples everywhere, dried skin, dandruff, and blotches. Thankfully the crying is going away but I still feel like i’m just not interested in much.. I will keep chugging along because it has to get better. This is the first time I have made it past a month and I don’t ever want to be a smoker again. I want to say thanks for posting. It’s scary when your told this will kill you so you finally get the nerve and gumption to quit and then feel like your falling apart. It’s great not to feel alone.

Congratulations to everyone quitting has been the hardest thing I’ve been thorough. Cassie you mentioned you quit using a vape……did you notice any problems with vaping? I have tried reading up as much as I could but I’m still not sure. I have been having problems with pressure on my chest. My doctor did an EKG and said my hearts good so I thought vaping could be my problem. Vaping was helping me a lot to quit but I feel like crap always so I stopped using that too. It has been 5wks now since I’ve smoked but I am feeling soooooo crappy I’m starting to wonder why I bothered when I felt fine before I quit!! Has anyone else had pressure and nausea? Just wondering if anyone has any advice on what I can do to get through this part because its really driving me crazy.
I am taking Prilosec thinking that it might be heart burn but that has not taken it away!!
Thanks for any advice anyone might have.

9 month non smoker after 35 years and a pack a day. Cannot get rid of the anxiety so not sure if why I feel bad is the anxiety or non smoking. Tried 3 puffs last week but no damage or interest in resuming smoking. 58 years old and wish some improvement happens soon. I walk, try to eat right but need feedback from people who got through this tough act. Thanks

I found this site by searching the exact phrase as the title. I m on my 7th smoke free day and, feel like I am starting a bout with the flu but, in the middle of May!
It’s hard to get moving in the morning and, it doesn’t take much to wear me out but still better than smoking.
I smoked for 35 years and hacked away every morning the past 4 years. You can say I was sick of being sick so, I’m a quitter now.
Best of luck to all !

I put exactly how I felt just turned 60 on 5/14/15, quit smoking on 4/11/15 and I feel like shit. I want to say THANK YOU ALL for your help. I will keep this site as a favorite to go back to during this trying time in my life. I WILL NOT START SMOKING!!!!!!!!!!

I quit smoking Jan 20th 2013. It will be 3 years soon. It is the best thing I ever done. I smoked a pack a day and more if having a beer. I hope to never smoke again. I still get the urge to have a smoke at times however It only lasts a second now and is easy to resist. I know I can’t even have one or I would have to go through the quitting ordeal again. I still have the odd dream of smoking a cigarette. I even woke one morning pissed at myself for having a smoke but realized it was just a dream. I was depressed, little things pissed me off, trouble sleeping, dreaming, etc…
Anyways enough about that, what I want to say is I can relate to all the weird feeling you are experiencing. Yes I gained weight, but I have lost half of what I gained and will lose the rest. My breathing got worst for about a year. It is fine now and continues to improve. I still need to clear my throat and sometimes get a dry cough but I no longer hack in the mornings.
My smelling senses have sharping to the point I can smell cigarettes from people that walk past me. At first I liked the smell but It does smell gross to me now. I am becoming one of those people. haha
I could go on and on but there is no use, everything you are feeling is normal.
As a person once said to me. It will be your greatest accomplishment.
Wish you all the best.

i decided to stop smoking tonight after the last cig. that was about an hour ago. i feel like crap. i’m thinnking i feel this way because i told myself i would. i’m a stroke survivor, how friggin dumb is it to get back on the piggies, telling myself i ain’t got no money etc. when in fact i have chanting and a new book . + a lovely partner, to have a stroke, or some horrible cancer just ain’t worth it. i’ll pray i can get over this with my kung fu, take care y’all

I am 35 and I quit 14 months ago after smoking since 12ish. I have went threw hell and continue since i quit but I keep pushing on. I still have days where I want a smoke, and catch myself telling people if smoking wasn’t bad for you Id still do it. So I know I still have a long fight to go yet. Since i quit smoking theres foods that i did like and can’t even stand the smell of it now. Oh my god anger issues wow, and feeling like I was going to die with every ache and pain. Depression still is hell for me seems like I am always worried about every little thing that happens to me. Quitting has made me a hypercondriac so i am trying to learn how to deal with that. I have been told that will go away just takes time. I have really bad allergies now since i quit the doc. told me I had them when I smoked but I didn’t notice them as bad. All and All I will continue to not smoke and talk to people that is trying to quit and help them during there hell. I wish I felt like I did before I quit seemed like nobady could keep up with me then, only time will heal me and have to push everyday to win this fight. And I swear to god I will never look at webmd again that site isn’t good for anyone trying to fight this fight. I have tried to talk to people about what I deal with since I quit but nonsmokers can’t relate with what your going though. It has been really comforting being able to read everyone elses fight and realizing I am not the only one that is feeling like this. Thanks for everyone that has shared there experience online. I encourage people to continue and read about peoples stories and push on for better life.

Congratulations to everyone quitting has been the hardest thing I’ve been thorough. Cassie you mentioned you quit using a vape……did you notice any problems with vaping? I have tried reading up as much as I could but I’m still not sure. I have been having problems with pressure on my chest. My doctor did an EKG and said my hearts good so I thought vaping could be my problem. Vaping was helping me a lot to quit but I feel like crap always so I stopped using that too. It has been 5wks now since I’ve smoked but I am feeling soooooo crappy I’m starting to wonder why I bothered when I felt fine before I quit!! Has anyone else had pressure and nausea? Just wondering if anyone has any advice on what I can do to get through this part because its really driving me crazy.
I am taking Prilosec thinking that it might be heart burn but that has not taken it away!!
Thanks for any advice anyone might have.

Hi All… After reading many of your comments, I am very proud of you all!!! I am in the same boat as all of you. Age 33 now and started smoking at around age 16. I’ve been smoke free for just a bit over a month now and was worried before I quit that I would fail…but so far so good 🙂 What helped me was a 21mg nicotine patch and Valium. If you can go and speak to your doctor and tell him him/her your game plan to quit smoking. 99% of doctors will be very pleased to hear that your quiting and should assist you. Tell your doctor you need something to calm you down on those very hard stressful days. Now if you get a prescription for Valium or and other calming medication, don’t be popping it like candy, cause they are addictive in there own right…only take it on those extremely hard days when u feel like punching every person you see!! I take 5mg of valium about 2-3 times a week. Helps a ton!!! Good luck everyone 🙂

Wow, what an eye opening experience it was to me, reading about so many of you about what really happens after quiting cigarettes. I am 46 and I was a chain smoker for more than 30 years. I quit almost 3 years ago. I used to be very athletic and a gym fanatic who would have put many a young man to shame given power and endurance, but my body slowly started worsening and weakening to the point that I feel about 70 years old after quitting. Not only do I cramp up, I can’t literally climb a flight of stairs without getting short of breath. Then there is the fight against depression basically all the time. Thoughts of giving up and killing myself comes and goes. Never in my entire life did I suffer from depression or suicide untill I stopped smoking.

However, I believe this period will pass and I try to stay as fit as possible. The only honest improvement in this time was my taste and smell ability and then I am able to breath without difficulty even though I get short of breath with exercise. Being able to breath freely alone makes all this symptomes worth while for me. I would have smoked myself to death before age 50 if I didn’t stop.

All Praises to the Lord for taking smoking away from me since I prayed a simple prayer to ask him to let me forget that I ever smoked and he did exactly that, immediately after prayer. No patches, no e-cigs, no nothing. I stopped smoking that same instant and never even thought about smoking again.

I wish everbody all the best and just remember, nothing in life that was ever worth something, came easy. Thank you all.

I smoked for 37 years, and not heavily. I’ve been smoke-free for 4 weeks. I feel sooooo horrible I can barely make it to work. I am NOT a whiner, very strong personality. But this is horrible. Lethargy from HELL, depression, constant sore throat, achy, tired, run-down. I though there was something seriously wrong with me until I stumbled across this site. Thank God for ALL of you, no I know I’m not crazy or a hypochondriac!! I’m going to stay smoke-free but it’s VERY difficult to deal with these detox symptoms.

Hi all. I quit 4 weeks ago after smoking for 28yrs. It’s a nightmare. My gums are bleeding everytime i brush them and the depression sucks, also the anxiety of my health nearly scared me into smoking again but i guess that’s my mind posting tricks on me.. I’m still getting nicotine from my vape but I’ve realised it’s the other chemicals that I’ve inhaled for years that i am detoxing from and no one knows how long this will take but it’s going to be long i know that for sure. I don’t even want a cigarette at this point i just want to feel OK. I’m happy i don’t smell anymore though. Keep it up everyone your all doing so great

Hi All
Not sure if anyone is still here but I’ve quit smoking on October 1 2016 and it been a hell ride first had nasal congestion so bad had to go see the doctor then 2-3 weeks in started with really bad lung pain back to the doctors had a chest x-ray and a PFT test all came back normal so back to the doctors now 4 month in my doctor is not sure what to do..

I stopped smoking December 14 2016 I’m 62 and smoked for 47 years! I just came across this site this morning, and I’m so glad I did iv never felt so wretched in all my life I’m writing this tears rolling down my face another sleepless night my throat hurting like hell spots popping up on my face ( iv always been so proud of my skin!) and what seems like a million other ailments , I’m having a biopsy procedure done this coming week on the inside of my mouth , so I know I’ll never smoke again ( it’s been a terrifying wake up call ) feel so much better for reading your comments and knowing I’m not alone , thank yo so much .

Hi Sylvia,
I quit on February 2, 2017, almost 3 months now. I’m like you. If anyone ever tells me how wonderful they feel after they quit smoking, I just might have to make them feel like crap!

This is a nightmare and I am not sure what to do next. The part of your post that interests me the most is the biopsy. How did that turn out. The doctor wanted to do that to me too, but I understand mouth ulcers are very common when you try to quit smoking! I would be interested to find out how it went for you.

Hope everything is fine. Having those kind of symptoms will definitely drive you crazy. But that’s not surprising, I also experienced those things you listed. To tell you honestly, I’m already on my 10th month of being smoke free but guess what, I’m still experiencing chest discomfort (but not that severe unlike the 1st to 5th or 6th month). I believe this is all because of the anxiety. Having a chest discomfort and pain makes you very frightening. But the good thing there is that all you are currently experiencing is part of the healing process due to smoking and abusing your lung for a long time. Everything will be fine through time, just hang in there, don’t lose hope and don’t think of getting back to smoking again because the best achievement the smoker can do is to become an ex-smoker.

Snow – I hope you are doing better on the quit path. The congestion I can understand for sure. It’s going to take plenty of time for your body to clean it’self out. I’ve been reading a lot and I think they put a lot of stuff in cigarettes to help numb our sinuses, throats and lungs. I’ve hit my 4th month smoke free today. Some days I feel like it is a heroin addiction I’m battling, the effects feel so rough. I’m hoping to stay smoke free, every day without a cigarette is a victory!

I use to be a heavy smoker anything from 10 cigarettes to more then 20 a day depending on what I was I doing, I started smoking when I was 16 I’m now 34 and decided to quit as my wife and I are expecting our first child, I’ve only been quit for 4 weeks now anf i feel awful, I’m constantly feeling tired light headed sick to my stomach and out of breath and to top it all off I’m now feeling very depressed, as many others have said I was really starting to feel like there was something seriously wrong with me untill I read other comments, I use the nicotine patches to help with craving but I never imagined I would feel this bad, I’m determined not to give in and stick it out I just wish the doctors where a bit more honest about the negative of quiting instead of just telling you the positive facts so ppl like us wouldn’t need to go to the Internet for the information and pice of mind we need to help with getting through this.

3 days from now and I will be celebrating my 10th month of being smoke free, wtg for me (smiling). Quitting smoking was one of the toughest decision I have ever made in my entire life. Cigarette was my best buddy. Whenever I’m stressed, mad, or having a problem, he’s always there for me. Lit up one and you’re going to be okay. But what’s getting me more hooked is that I’m getting addicted to this thing. So how come can I let go of cigarette smoking? I was just 7 years old when I started to light my first cigarette. That was very early for me to have such an addicted vice, but that was the only way to get included with my eldest brother’s (he’s kind a stupid before and he was the reason why I learned how to smoke a cigarette) gang. To shorten my story, I got addicted very, very bad on smoking. For almost 18 – 19 years of cigarette smoking of 1 – 1 1/2 pack a day and after attempting to quit for so many times, I had decided to finally end this bad journey last April 25, 2016 (Cold Turkey). At first few days of my quit is not that difficult to handle. I thought it was just that easy as I was feeling nothing bad unlike the stories of other ex-smokers whom I used to read from the internet that is very horrible, until the miserable journey started after a week of my quit. The following are the experiences I experienced during my quit: Chronic cough that lasted for about 2 weeks was very tough, I feel like I’m going to vomit everything I have inside my chest though the only stuff that came out is the white sputum. Chest discomfort and pain were almost present at all times, making me feel like I’m going to have a heart attack. I decided to went to a doctor to get checked, X-Ray, ECG, etc. has been done but the result came back normal. I believe that these symptoms is all because of the process of healing my lungs, eliminating those things that stuck in my lungs due to smoking by the cilia (a hair like structure inside the lungs). Even until now, I’m still feeling chest discomfort but not that severe, I believe the discomfort I’m feeling now is because of the anxiety. There are moments wherein I’m thinking to get back to smoking just to get rid of all this, but I’m really scared that when I get back to smoking and quit again I will feel all this sh*t. My quitting journey can be compared to being trapped in a very dark tunnel where there is no trace of light and all you have to do is to walk on it to reach the way out for you to see a light again. I’m not trying to scare anyone of you, I’m just trying to tell the truth for you to know what will you are about to face whenever you’re decided to quit that bad habit. To tell you honestly, until this very moment, the anxiety is still present but I can handle now unlike the first few months until the 5th or 6th months that is very severe. There are many other experiences I encountered during my quit like panic attacks in the evening whenever I’m at bed, rapid pounding heartbeat before going to sleep like I always think that I have a heart disease, shortness of breath even for only a short walk that is very frightening like I’m always going to pass out, and the worse is that I’m having a rapid weight gain due to uncontrollable eating. All of that bad experiences can be handled through time, the important thing here is that you have quit smoking. Just hang in, don’t lose hope, always remember that you quit smoking for good. Now, I am very happy that I’m getting through the toughest experience I ever encountered in my life even though there were times that I’m still experiencing some of the symptoms I told above. I believe that I’m going to reach the end of this dark tunnel and can seek for a light again after a long tough journey. I wish all of you a good luck and always think that the best thing that a smoker can do is to be an Ex-Smoker.

Hi, Iam 55 & gave up 55 Days ago after having a heart attack. This was entirely due to me smoking since I was 14. Still miss it, obviously, but feel better, I think ! Can relate to the story of missing an old ‘friend’ as smokes were always with me at every major event in my life. Anyway, I cannot give any advise as everyone’s situ is different but personally I didn’t want to die at 55, however much I enjoyed the fags !

I just finished my first day as a non smoker. 46 and I quit before for a year or two a couple times but it never lasted. This time feels different. One, I physically feel worse. Headache, mouth is sore, just generally feel like crap. I don’t want to go through this again, this has to be the last time. Thanks everyone for sharing, nice to know I’m not alone and it will get better.

Thank you all for the heads up. I was thinking it was just me , went cold turkey 5 month ago after
smoking for 40 years, just up and quit . Now all this feeling like CRAP was dragging me down but it is real good to know that this is part of it . For every bad there is a good. lots of wheel power
for all that are trying.

Hi all.. 6 weeks and I’m still getting wicked cravings. Yes, I can breathe
a little deeper now and my death rattle in my lungs has gone, but I feel
like shit. Fat and fatigued. Cranky and headachy. Only the thought of going
through this again keeps me from going out for a pack. Great site and I’m
relieved to see I’m not alone. This better be worth it!!!!

I am 57 and its been 8 months now since I quit smoking, this guy is right I feel crap. Doctors are a waste of time, you just have to keep going. I have never felt so ill for ages bur I know its just due to quitting smoking. Symptoms are red sore eyes, headaches, stiff neck and more which is constant.

Hi to all the fellow-sufferers,
I’ve just discovered this site as I was googling all my symptoms and there are so, so many of them – I was sure I was dying.
I’m 57, have been smoking for 40 years or probably more. A pack of 20 daily and I loved them. I was NEVER sick and had no cough and flew around the house, my very demanding full-time job and wonderful social life like a mad thing powered by Duracell long-life batteries. I was the “go-to” person for everyone.
Year by year all my friends and colleagues gave up smoking and I was becoming the leper who had to run outside to smoke at every social gathering and miss out on all the fun.
Anyway, I’m now smoke free for 11 weeks and the euphoria of success from the first week has drifted down the Swannee River and I’ve never ever felt so bad in my life!!! Every bit of me feels ill!! Awful taste in my mouth, sore stomach, mouth ulcers, food cravings all the time and nothing satisfies me, burping, gas (so much) bowel cramping, constant urination and so so so many bowel movements – really incredible. I never believed it could be so grim!!
AND worst of all – WEIGHT GAIN 11lbs. in 11 weeks, a big fat tyre around my middle – I never has that before -so gross. All my clothes are stretched to the limit and I’m wearing baggy pants as often as I can to feel comfortable.
I’m a get up and go, no-nonsense capable mom of 4 and now I feel barely able to make a sandwich. All my zest for living and enjoyment of life has gone out the window.
But – I’m gonna keep at it. In a weird way it’s great to hear that I’m not the only one and that these symptoms appear to be globally endured. Thank you all so much for contributing.

Hello all! I see not many post here, but I will post anyways. I quit February 24th, just passed 3 months. I felt all the crap everyone else and still sometimes today too. not much craving. All these ill feelings make it hard to want the crap that made us feel this way anyways. The worst for me is odd muscle aches around my chest and upper back, recently the last week or too im having swelling in my left collarbone area. before it was under the armpit left side. it just moves around. My best theory is that my body is getting rid of all the other chemicals that have been stored in my body over the years. Im 32 started when I was 18 in Iraq, slow at first but eventually pack a day. had a spell of bad hypochondria, around the two month timeframe. had a physical and bloodwork and chest exrays. all came back normal. The severe anxiety has mostly subsided, but my googling brought me here today. These message boards tend to be very comforting 🙂 stay strong all, its a long road, but it gets slowly better as we go.

I am at 48 days quit today, tomorrow will be 7 full weeks quit. I still feel as lousy now as I have at any time during this process. Very little energy. Still coughing, although the coughing does feel more productive now, like it’s clearing the garbage out of my lungs. Super bloated and bad digestion. When I cough, it can come out both ends (sorry but true!). Very tired, want to sleep a lot. Very hard to concentrate. Chest tightness and easily out of breath. Before I quit, meaning 49 days ago, I felt absolutely great, worked out hard at the gym 6 days per week including crazy cardio and weights. Those days feel long gone. I WILL say that each day I feel something that hints at things getting better, so with the support of boards like this, and those little hints, I plan to keep going. Never want to go through this hell again, and it IS hell. I’m 58 and I smoked for 38 years, about a pack a day, so I know it’s going to take a long time to get it all out of me.

I am 54 years old and I was told I had COPD 7 years ago. I immediately quit smoking, but as the years pass by my condition got significantly worse, and I started having serious attacks. I used to be able to exercise, but it became so hard because I`m constantly out of breath. My pulmonologist started me on oral steroids to help control symptoms and minimize further damage but my symptoms never stopped getting worse. In January this year, my pulmonologist and I decided to go with natural treatment and was introduced to NewLife Herbal Clinic natural organic COPD Herbal formula, i had a total decline of symptoms with this COPD Herbal formula treatment. The infections, shortness of breath, fatigue, dry cough and other symptoms has subsided. Visit NewLife Herbal Clinic official website ww w. newlifeherbalclinic. com or email info@ newlifeherbalclinic. com.

I have had great improvement with my over all respiration with this product and i breath very much easier, i can never be thankful enough to nature

I am on day 12 of my second major quit in 6 years. Last time, I quit for 2 years, and I was amazing, but I grew complacent after 2 years, and on a day when I was sitting in the park, on a glorious warm sunny day, I thought i’d like “Just one” cigarette. That “just one” was a lie and actually was “just four years”.

Anyway, I know exactly where i went wrong, and there is no such thing as “just one” , just like the alcoholic who cannot have “just one” drink.

Im on day 14 ( in 3 hours ), and, just like every single person here, I feel like CRAP.
It is justified though.
I did the crime, so I have to do the time, and detox is my reward for my own myopic stupidity.

Im 46, and a recent visit to an asthma nurse, informed me I have COPD and the lung age of an 87 year old, and although this was nased on limited info, and not taking a hiatus hernia in the chest into account, I do understand that cigarettes have to go and have lost their halo, in my eyes.

I feel anger now. Angry because I sit here such fatigue that I feel like I have narcolepsy, shallow breathing, unable to exercise, light-headed, sweating, bloated and feeling like a woman carrying a papoose on her belly. Angry at my stupidity, asnger at the two-facedness of the government who raise the price of cigarettes with every budget because they make so much tax at the expense of people making themselves ill, and on the other hand tell us we should all be living healthier lifestyles and not being a burden on the NHS. Complete hypocrisy. I am also irritable, and if I had a lawn, I would be telling people to get off it.

I feel terrible.
I exxpecvted to be leaping like a spring lamb on Speed, but that has not been the case.

I will however, never smoke again. I would rather have the inconvenience of feeling shit for a couple of months, than have that chat with the doctor about how long I have.
In comparison to that, what Im going through is shit, but its all relative, in proportion to other things.

Julian from Eugene, Oregon. I was diagnosed of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in 2012 at the age of 63. My COPD got significantly worse and unbearable because of my difficulty catching breath. Last year, i started on a natural COPD Herbal therapy from NewLife Herbal Clinic, i read a lot of positive reviews from patients who used the treatment and i immediately started on it. I had great relief with this herbal treatment. I breath very much better now, no case of shortness of breath or chest tightness since treatment, my lungs condition is totally reversed. Visit NewLife Herbal Clinic website ww w. newlifeherbalclinic. com. This treatment is a miracle!!

reading e1 stories really helps the process of trying to stop smoking. I’m 51 and been smoking since age 13. A pack lasted 2 days and I used to say that’s not bad! smoking is smoking doesn’t matter how much you do it. I decided to stop after 30 + Years. its been 4 weeks. I feel like I’m being choked, It sometimes feel like I have a lump in my throat. I know its the healing process and I’m really trying not to smoke. What keeps me going is lighting the cig and smelling it, I’m really satisfied with that for some reason I feel like I smoked. I’m hoping soon I can give up lighting one up. and I must say after 4 weeks I can walk up a flight of stairs without having to stop and catch my breath. Now that feels good! Good luck e1. keep fighting the fight. you will win at the end.

I am 61 and I stopped smoking 57 days ago. I too feel like crap still, but the one positive was I got my taste back very quickly and discovered foods I thought I liked, I didn’t. Like everyone else in this forum I would love to know when the lethargy, aches and headaches will cease. My breathing is easier do that is a plus.

I’m 39 and I smoked at least one pack a day for 20 years. I quit three weeks ago, after a month of cutting-down. I’m on patches and chewing-gum. Saying that I feel like shit is the understatement of the centuty. I am lethargic yet constanly anxious and overly depressed (and I mean suicidal). I thought work might help me overcome this (I have always been a hard and energetic worker) but the fact is that nothing seems to do the trick. I just feel dead inside. I was not expecting this. It feels like starting to smoke was the second worst mistake of my life – quitting being the first.